Toy parachute



Sept. 25, 1962 A. A. STARKL 3,055,141

TOY PARACHUTE Filed Aug. 5, 1960 Anton A. Sfark/ 1N VENTOR.

ire Etta This invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in aerial toys and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to be readily thrown into the air and which, when so launched, will descend as a parachute.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a toy parachute comprising a canopy and a gondola or basket attached thereto wherein said canopy is adapted to be stored in said gondola in a manner to provide a sphere or ball which may be thrown into the air with a minimum of effort.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an aerial toy or parachute of the aforementioned character comprising unique means for insuring the opening of the canopy.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a toy parachute of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, durable, compact, of light weight, highly amusing and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which Will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a toy parachute constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the device ready to be thrown or launched;

FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scale through the device, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view, showing the device open.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a gondola or basket in the form of a hollow sphere or ball 4 of suitable dimension and material. The sphere 4 has a circular opening 5 in the upper portion thereof. The sphere 4 is further provided, in its lower portion, with a relatively small circular opening 6 providing an air intake.

The sphere 4 is connected to a canopy 7 of suitable flexible material through the medium of lines or shrouds 8. One end of the shrouds 8 is secured at 9 in the upper portion of the sphere 4 adjacent the opening 5.

The canopy 7 comprises a rigid central portion 10 which is circular and which is adapted to seat in the opening 5 in a manner to form a closure therefor. As shown to advantage in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the central portion 10 of the canopy 7 is substantially concavo-convex and conforms to the curvature of the sphere 4. Thus, when the member 10 is in position the gondola or basket 4 constitutes a substantially complete sphere or ball.

The central portion 10 of the canopy 7 includes a centrally located opening 11 for the passage of air to assist in ejecting the canopy from the sphere 4. Secured on the marginal or peripheral portion of the member 10 is a skirt 12 of suitable flexible material which is adapted to overlie and rest on the sphere 4 when the canopy '7 is therein. A string or the like 13 is suspended from the member 10 of the canopy 7 and extends downwardly therefrom through the sphere 4 and the bottom open- Fatented Sept. 25, 1962 ing 6 therein. A handle or stop 14 is provided on the lower end of the string 13.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, with the canopy 7 folded and enclosed in the sphere 4 as shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the device is gripped substantially in the manner of a ball and thrown into the air. When the device is thus being thrown or launched the string 13 is held for anchoring the member 10 in position in the opening 5. As the device travels through the air the skirt 12 is caught thereby for pulling the canopy 7 out of the sphere 4. Air entering the sphere 4 through the opening 6 passes upwardly through said sphere and through the outlet 11 for assisting in ejecting and opening the canopy 7. Mounted on the marginal portion of the canopy 7 is a flexible apron 15 which is substantially similar to the apron 12 and which further assists in opening said canopy after it leaves the sphere 4. Of course, after the canopy 7 is opened the device slowly descends in an obvious manner.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A toy parachute comprising a hollow, substantially spherical gondola having a circular opening in its upper portion, and a canopy connected to said gondola and adapted to be stored therein, said canopy comprising a rigid, substantially concavo-convex central portion adapted to seat in the opening and providing a closure therefor, said canopy further comprising a flexible skirt on the marginal portion of said central portion and adapted to overlie and rest on the sphere when the canopy is enclosed therein, said skirt providing air actuated means for pulling the canopy out of the sphere, said sphere further having a circular opening in its lower portion for the entrance of air for assisting in ejecting the canopy, said central portion of said canopy having an air outlet opening therein.

2. The combination of claim 1, and a flexible strand connected at one end to said central portion of said canopy and extending downwardly therefrom through the sphere and the second-named opening and providing means for anchoring said central portion of said canopy in the first-named opening.

3. A toy parachute comprising a hollow, substantially spherical gondola having a circular opening in its upper portion, a canopy, shrouds connecting said gondola to the canopy, said canopy being insertable in the gondola and including a substantially concavo-convex central portion of rigid material seatable in the opening for closing the same, said gondola further having an opening in its lower portion, the second-named opening for the passage of air into the gondola for ejecting the canopy, and a string secured to said central portion of the canopy and extending downwardly therefrom through the secondnamed opening and providing means for manually retaining said central portion of said canopy in the first-named opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

